Tuesday, August 16, 2011

#JerseyStabbings: friend describes the family as warm and loving...

A friend of a woman who was one of six people killed in a knife attack in Jersey has spoken of her disbelief.

Izabela Rzeszowska, her two children and her father-in-law are believed to have been among those stabbed to death in St Helier on Sunday.

A 30-year-old man, named locally as her husband Damian Rzeszowski, has been arrested and is in hospital.

Dominika Nalichowska, a friend of Mrs Rzeszowska, said the family had appeared to be "normal" and "loving".

She said: "We have known them for nearly two years because my children and their daughter used to attend the same school.

'Traumatic incident'

"I have got a picture in front of me of those two little children and I cannot believe that this has actually happened.

"I still believe I will see them in the street, that I will see those children at school playing with my daughter."

The other two people killed are believed to be another woman and her child who were visiting Mrs Rzeszowska.

The arrested man, who had emergency surgery following the attack, remains in a stable condition and is under police guard at Jersey's General Hospital.

Det Supt Stewart Gull, from Jersey Police, said the arrested man had remained heavily sedated and officers had not yet been able to question him.

A helpline has been set up for islanders in Jersey who feel they need support following the stabbings on Sunday.

The Health and Social Services department are working with the Samaritans to offer advice.

Dr Jake Bowley, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, said: "After a traumatic incident in the community such as this, it is quite a normal reaction that some islanders may feel very upset about what has happened, and we want people to know that if they need advice and support then it is available.

"If you have any serious concerns about how you or someone close to you is being affected by what has happened, please call the helpline, where we can provide free and confidential advice."

More than 6,000 people have joined a tribute page on Facebook to the victims of the attack.